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One Viking Had an Absolutely Rotten Week
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- One Viking Had an Absolutely Rotten Week
Matt Krohn
If you had big plans for 2025 undrafted free-agent quarterback Max Brosmer, it's officially time to rethink them. In the last week, the Minnesota Vikings have onboarded Kyler Murray and re-signed last year's QB2, Carson Wentz, spelling a mini-doomsday scenario for Brosmer.
The young quarterback's roster standing took a serious hit over the course of a few days.
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Brosmer may not have possessed the upside of a QB1 in the pros in the first place, but the Vikings' decision-making proved recently that he's closer to a practice-squad commodity than anything else.
Minnesota's QB Shuffle Leaves Brosmer in a Tough Spot
Back to the drawing board for Brosmer.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) lines up under center during second-half action against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sep. 21, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The young signal-caller directed the offense late, working through reads and adjustments as Minnesota pushed to sustain drives in front of the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Wentz Returns
Wentz has returned to Minnesota after flirting with the New York Jets last week.
NFL.com's Kevin Patra wrote Thursday , "The Minnesota Vikings have added another veteran to their quarterback room. Carson Wentz is re-signing with the Vikings on a one-year deal, NFL Network Insiders Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Thursday, per sources informed of the move. The team later announced the news."
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"The move comes after the Vikings inked Kyler Murray to a one-year deal last week to battle J.J. McCarthy for the starting gig. Retaining Wentz aims at safeguarding against the quarterback issues that sank their 2025 campaign, in which undrafted free agent Max Brosmer was forced to start two games."
Wentz's torn labrum should be in tip-top shape before too long, and he's officially back in the mix for Minnesota.
Murray Added as Probable QB1
And, of course, Minnesota signed Murray on March 12th, following weeks of speculation that the former Arizona Cardinals starter would join the team he rooted for as a child and teenager. The speculation was correct.
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Murray immediately tracks as the QB1 in 2026 — how could a team not start a man who averages about 4,000 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, and 600 rushing yards every 17 starts? Mind-bogglingly, because the Cardinals are the hook for Murray's 2026 salary, the Vikings scored Murray for 1.3 million bucks.
He'd probably have to get hurt this summer to lose the starter's job.
Zone Coverage 's Nelson Thielen wrote about Murray last week, "Murray represents Kevin O'Connell's desperate attempt to maximize his upside and save his job — even if it means completely reorienting his offensive principles. Because what Murray does well is not what this offense ran so successfully in 2024."
"Murray plays his best ball as a point guard at the line of scrimmage with quick, rhythmic passing. He's a good distributor close to the line of scrimmage and saves most of his intermediate passing to concepts outside the numbers in the form of deep outs, corner routes, and comebacks. Essentially, the only time you see him throw in structure over the middle of the field is up the seam. Otherwise, it simply isn't an element of his game."
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O'Connell has five months to figure out his playbook to accommodate Murray. It shouldn't be difficult.
"There is a world in which Kevin O'Connell rehabilitates Kyler's career, and the Kyler Murray era in Minnesota extends far beyond 2026. I just hope this coaching staff is willing to go all in on that possibility, because a half measure likely leads to the same type of disjointed mess Murray was hoping to leave behind in Arizona," Thielen added.
Brosmer Out in the Cold
Therefore, with the quarterback additions and re-signings, the Vikings' QB depth chart now looks like this:
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Kyler Murray
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J.J. McCarthy
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Carson Wentz
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Max Brosmer
Minnesota never keeps four quarterbacks on a regular season roster — sometimes it's only two — and Brosmer is either on the practice squad in 2026 or outright released. Until this week, no one was too sure if Wentz would re-up with the Vikings, keeping hope alive for Brosmer's inside path to the QB3 post.
Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer (16) warms up prior to kickoff against the Rhode Island Rams, Sep. 7, 2024, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The transfer quarterback went through pregame routines, loosening his arm and preparing to lead Minnesota's offense in an early-season nonconference matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Brosmer as the QB3 — or on the roster at all when the regular season rolls around — now feels like a long shot. He went from unknown, undrafted free agent to possible Brock Purdy-like breakout to a probable roster cut or practice squad candidate.
It was not a good week for Brosmer.
"Hope" for a McCarthy Trade?
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Brosmer would actually benefit from a McCarthy trade, as the rumor mill has subtly suggested since the club re-signed Wentz on Thursday. Sending McCarthy to Arizona or Pittsburgh , for example, would keep Brosmer in the Vikings' roster orbit as their single young quarterback in the pipeline.
Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy (9), Sam Howell (8), Brett Rypien (11), and Max Brosmer (12) participate in drills during minicamp, Jun. 10, 2025, at the Vikings Training Facility in Minneapolis. The group rotated through reps, sharpening timing and mechanics as coaches evaluated depth chart options ahead of training camp. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Of course, a McCarthy trade is unlikely, all things considered, and it doesn't feel like Kevin O'Connell is ready to throw in the towel. During the upcoming buildup to the 2026 season, remember that Murray usually misses about four or five games per season; that would be the perfect opportunity for McCarthy to reclaim his throne — if he's matured and developed in the background.
Otherwise, if McCarthy is out of the way, Brosmer won't trend so irreleveantly.
